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Off-the-Plan Conveyancing

We refer you to conveyancers and solicitors experienced in off-the-plan contracts, sunset clauses and the disclosure rules that apply when buying before a property is built.

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Floor plans and a Sydney apartment development under construction

How the conveyancing works in NSW

Buying off-the-plan means signing a contract for a property, usually a unit, before it is built, based on the plans and specifications rather than a finished home. It is common across inner-Sydney suburbs where apartment developments dominate the market, and it carries risks that a standard established-home purchase does not. Sydney Conveyancers is a referral service, not a law firm, and we connect off-the-plan buyers with licensed conveyancers and solicitors who understand these contracts.

The contract for an off-the-plan purchase is longer and more complex than a standard contract for sale. The conveyancer or solicitor we refer you to reviews the disclosure statement, the draft strata plan, the proposed owners corporation budget and by-laws, the finishes schedule, and the sunset clause, which sets the date by which the development must be completed or either party may be able to terminate. They explain how variations to the plan are handled, what happens to your deposit and how it is held, and the time you have to arrange finance once the building is registered.

Disclosure is central to an off-the-plan purchase. NSW off-the-plan contracts carry specific disclosure obligations, and the prescribed documents that must form part of a contract for the sale of land apply as well. The conveyancer checks that what has been disclosed matches what you are agreeing to buy, and explains the off-the-plan cooling-off and notice rules that apply in NSW.

Because settlement can be a year or more away, the conveyancer also helps you plan for transfer duty and any concession that may apply at the time of settlement, and for the first home schemes if you are an eligible first home buyer. They re-check the title and the registered strata plan once the development is complete, then manage settlement electronically through PEXA, the online platform used to lodge documents and transfer ownership.

This service suits anyone buying a new apartment or townhouse before completion, including investors and owner-occupiers, particularly in suburbs such as the Sydney CBD, Pyrmont, Parramatta and Chatswood where off-the-plan stock is common. On cost, many conveyancers in our network offer a fixed professional fee for a routine off-the-plan purchase, with government charges, search fees and other disbursements confirmed separately in writing. We are a referral network and never set or charge the fee.

If you are considering an off-the-plan purchase in Sydney, it pays to have the contract reviewed before you sign. Share a few details and we will connect you with a licensed conveyancer or solicitor, usually within one business day.

What this can include

  • Sunset clause review
  • Disclosure plan review
  • Strata budget review

General information only, not legal advice. See our Terms and Disclaimer.

Sydney suburbs we cover for Off-the-Plan Conveyancing

The Off-the-Plan Conveyancing service is available across all 26 Sydney suburbs in our coverage area. Pick your suburb for the local notes, or submit the form for a free review.

Off-the-Plan Conveyancing in Sydney CBD Sydney's central business district is almost entirely strata-titled apartment towers and converted heritage of Off-the-Plan Conveyancing in Surry Hills Surry Hills mixes restored Victorian terraces with warehouse-conversion apartments Off-the-Plan Conveyancing in Pyrmont Pyrmont is a dense waterfront peninsula of high-rise apartments and converted wool stores Off-the-Plan Conveyancing in Bondi Junction Bondi Junction is the Eastern Suburbs' retail and transport hub Off-the-Plan Conveyancing in Randwick Randwick combines grand Federation homes with a large supply of unit blocks near the hospital and university p Off-the-Plan Conveyancing in Coogee Coogee is a beachside Eastern Suburb of period apartment blocks and renovated semis stepping down to the sand Off-the-Plan Conveyancing in Newtown Newtown is an Inner West landmark of Victorian terraces and warehouse conversions centred on King Street Off-the-Plan Conveyancing in Marrickville Marrickville is a fast-changing Inner West suburb of Federation cottages Off-the-Plan Conveyancing in Burwood Burwood is an Inner West commercial centre mixing grand Victorian houses on tree-lined streets with a dense cl Off-the-Plan Conveyancing in North Sydney North Sydney is a lower North Shore business district ringed by high-density apartments and pockets of heritag Off-the-Plan Conveyancing in Chatswood Chatswood is a major North Shore retail and transport hub with a high-rise apartment core and surrounding stre Off-the-Plan Conveyancing in Mosman Mosman is a prestige lower North Shore suburb of Federation houses Off-the-Plan Conveyancing in Lane Cove Lane Cove is a leafy North Shore suburb of post-war homes and a growing apartment village centre Off-the-Plan Conveyancing in Manly Manly is a Northern Beaches landmark built around its ocean and harbour beaches Off-the-Plan Conveyancing in Dee Why Dee Why is a Northern Beaches hub of older walk-up unit blocks and new apartment developments behind its surf Off-the-Plan Conveyancing in Hornsby Hornsby is the upper North Shore's commercial gateway Off-the-Plan Conveyancing in Ryde Ryde is a central northern suburb of post-war brick homes and rapidly growing apartment precincts along Victor Off-the-Plan Conveyancing in Castle Hill Castle Hill is the Hills District's premium centre Off-the-Plan Conveyancing in Baulkham Hills Baulkham Hills is an established Hills District suburb of brick-and-tile family homes and acreage pockets Off-the-Plan Conveyancing in Bella Vista Bella Vista is a modern Hills District suburb of large new homes and the Norwest business and apartment precin Off-the-Plan Conveyancing in Parramatta Parramatta is Greater Sydney's second CBD Off-the-Plan Conveyancing in Blacktown Blacktown is one of NSW's largest and most multicultural centres Off-the-Plan Conveyancing in Penrith Penrith sits at the foot of the Blue Mountains Off-the-Plan Conveyancing in Liverpool Liverpool is a fast-densifying south-west hub with a new apartment core around the hospital and university pre Off-the-Plan Conveyancing in Hurstville Hurstville is the St George area's commercial centre Off-the-Plan Conveyancing in Cronulla Cronulla is the Sutherland Shire's beachside heart

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Off-the-Plan Conveyancing: common questions

Quick, factual answers on how this service works in NSW.

What is a sunset clause?
A sunset clause sets the date by which an off-the-plan development must be completed. If it is not completed by then, either party may be able to terminate the contract, subject to the NSW rules on sunset clauses. The conveyancer explains how the clause in your contract works before you sign.
Is off-the-plan riskier than buying an established home?
It carries different risks, because you are buying based on plans rather than a finished property, and settlement can be a year or more away. Having a conveyancer review the disclosure statement, owners corporation budget and sunset clause before you sign helps you understand those risks.
When do I pay transfer duty on an off-the-plan purchase?
Off-the-plan purchases have specific NSW duty timing rules, and duty is generally payable around settlement, which can be well after you sign. The conveyancer helps you plan for the duty and any concession that may apply, including the first home schemes if you are eligible.
What disclosure applies to off-the-plan in NSW?
NSW off-the-plan contracts carry specific disclosure obligations, and the prescribed documents required in any contract for the sale of land apply as well. The conveyancer checks that the disclosure statement and prescribed documents match what you are agreeing to buy.

Get matched with a conveyancer

Need help with off-the-plan conveyancing?

Tell us about your off-the-plan conveyancing matter and we will connect you with a licensed conveyancer or solicitor for a fixed-fee quote, usually within one business day.

Call 02 5135 3425